Ep 10. Are You My Mother?

In Private Practice season 5 episode 10 titled "Are You My Mother?", Charlotte agrees to help Lizzie when the teenaged patient and her mom come to the hospital. Lizzie is about to turn 18 which means she will gain control over the medical decisions about her care; hence Lizzie's mother is trying to convince her to undergo a highly invasive surgery to help her walk again. With Lizzie's health and well-being in mind, Charlotte steps in to help the patient navigate the tricky terrain with her mother.

Meanwhile, Violet and Pete struggle to navigate their relationship after some news about Lucas's future school comes to light. The couple realizes that they have different views and conflicting opinions about their son's education which eventually gives rise to a heated argument. The issue also leads Violet to reflect on her own upbringing and the struggles she experienced with her own parents.

Elsewhere in the episode, Amelia and Cooper team up to help a mother whose young daughter has been diagnosed with leukemia. They go to great lengths to find a bone marrow donor match, leading them to approach a particularly difficult family member who had cut ties with the bone marrow donation program after a painful experience. As they try to get the concerned member to reconsider, Amelia battles personal demons and the trauma of losing her son.

Back at the hospital, Sam discovers some heartbreaking news that leads to a decision to help a former colleague who may not have much time left. Cooper, Charlotte, and Sheldon work together to help Sam through this difficult time and to honor his friend and colleague.

Overall, "Are You My Mother?" is an emotional and thought-provoking episode that highlights the complex relationships between parents and children, and the lengths that people are willing to go to protect their loved ones. The episode is also a reminder of the importance of communication, empathy, and compassion in navigating difficult life situations.